Page 62 of Puck'n Bully
Liam
“Do you want to join us at Millie’s Diner?” Professor Patel asks, turning around to face me as I shuffle behind him and Dr. Blanton.
“I—uhh—I’m not hungry,” I say, my mind still stuck on Haydon. “Sorry, Professor.”
A curious look passes between him and Dr. Blanton.
“I ate a massive hotdog earlier,” I say with an awkward chuckle, doing my best to be polite. “I think I’ll just head home, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, we don’t mind,” Professor Patel says with a kind smile.
“Yeah, it’s getting quite late,” Dr. Blanton adds. “And it was a bummer we lost the game to Silverlake. Their defense was just too brutal. Our boys gave their best but itwasa tough one to win.”
Professor Patel nods, looking disappointed. “Come along, Keith. Some food will make you feel better.”
“I’ll see you on Monday, then,” Dr. Blanton says, raising his hand.
I nod. “Yeah. And thank you so much for inviting me to the game. I enjoyed every minute of it even though we lost in the end.”
“Hockey’s amazing, isn’t it?” Dr. Blanton says with a chuckle.
“Yeah. It’s the most thrilling sport I’ve ever watched.”
“Well, we’re glad we got you converted into a fan,” Professor Patel says, grinning. “Welcome to Knightswood, Liam.”
I return his smile and wave as they both walk away.
A sigh escapes me. I should’ve gone with them. Getting to know the head of the department was the only reason I came to watch the game. I should’ve taken advantage of his friendliness and used the opportunity to talk about my future here.
Deep inside, though, I know it wouldn’t have helped me even if I’d forced myself to follow them. My mind is fixed on Hayden and the lost, frozen look I’d caught on his face.
Whatever he was feeling, it wasn’t just disappointment at losing the game.
He was going through something far worse.
I don’t know why but something about the strange man in the black suit rubbed me the wrong way. Why was Hayden staring at him like he’d seen a ghost? Who was he and why did Hayden have such a reaction to him?
A cold sensation washes over me.
I have to find Hayden and make sure he’s okay. At this moment, I don’t even care about our breakup. I don’t care if he decides to stay in the closet for the rest of his life.
I just need to know he’s okay.
Making up my mind, I head back inside the hockey stadium.
Now that the crowd is gone, the vast corridors are deserted. My heart pounds as I run through them, trying to locate the locker room.
My feet come to a sudden halt as hushed voices reach my ear. I flatten my body against the wall, intent on not being caught wandering these hallways by myself.
Two men walk toward a different corridor. One of them is Hayden’s coach and the other one looks like he could be his assistant. I look toward the direction they came from and steadily head that way.
Before I know it, I find myself standing right outside the locker room.
I waver, wondering if I’m even allowed to go in.
My hesitation doesn’t last long though. Thinking of Hayden, I push through the doors and enter a softly-lit space.
The scent of sweat and male dominance hits my nostrils as I look around the young men gathered in the room. Most of them are busy tending to bruises, taping up injuries, or talking in low voices.
